Source John Muir: The Yosemite, Century 1912 664108 ✓ Solved

Source John Muir The Yosemite New York Century 1912 255257 26

Source: John Muir, The Yosemite (New York: Century, 1912), 255–257, 260–262. Reprinted in Roderick Nash, The American Environment: Readings in The History of Conservation (Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1968).

Hetch Hetchy Valley, far from being a plain, common, rock-bound meadow, as many who have not seen it seem to suppose, is a grand landscape garden, one of Nature’s rarest and most precious mountain temples. As in Yosemite, the sublime rocks of its walls seem to glow with life, whether leaning back in repose or standing erect in thoughtful attitudes, giving welcome to storms and calms alike, their brows in the sky, their feet set in the groves and gay flowery meadows, while birds, bees, and butterflies help the river and waterfalls to stir all the air into music—things frail and fleeting and types of permanence meeting here and blending, just as they do in Yosemite, to draw her lovers into close and confiding communion with her.

Sad to say, this most precious and sublime feature of the Yosemite National Park, one of the greatest of all our natural resources for the uplifting joy and peace and health of the people, is in danger of being dammed and made into a reservoir to help supply San Francisco with water and light, thus flooding it from wall to wall and burying its gardens and groves one or two hundred feet deep. This grossly destructive commercial scheme has long been planned and urged (though water as pure and abundant can be got from sources outside of the people’s park, in a dozen different places), because of the comparative cheapness of the dam and of the territory which it is sought to divert from the great uses to which it was dedicated in the Act of 1890 establishing the Yosemite National Park.

The making of gardens and parks goes on with civilization all over the world, and they increase both in size and number as their value is recognized. Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike. This natural beauty-hunger is made manifest in the little window-sill gardens of the poor, though perhaps only a geranium slip in a broken cup, as well as in the carefully tended rose and lily gardens of the rich, the thousands of spacious city parks and botanical gardens, and in our magnificent National parks—the Yellowstone, Yosemite, Sequoia, etc.—Nature’s sublime wonderlands, the admiration and joy of the world.

Nevertheless, like anything else worthwhile, from the very beginning, however well guarded, they have always been subject to attack by despoiling gain-seekers and mischief-makers of every degree from Satan to Senators, eagerly trying to make everything immediately and selfishly commercial, with schemes disguised in smug-smiling philanthropy, industriously, shampiously crying, “Conservation, conservation, panutilization,” that man and beast may be fed and the dear Nation made great. Thus long ago a few enterprising merchants utilized the Jerusalem temple as a place of business instead of a place of prayer, changing money, buying and selling cattle and sheep and doves; and earlier still; the first forest reservation, including only one tree, was likewise despoiled.

Ever since the establishment of the Yosemite National Park, strife has been going on around its borders and I suppose this will go on as part of the universal battle between right and wrong, however much its boundaries may be shorn, or its wild beauty destroyed. . . . That anyone would try to destroy [Hetch Hetchy Valley] seems; incredible; but sad experience shows that there are people good enough and bad enough for anything. The proponents of the dam scheme bring forward a lot of bad arguments to prove that the only righteous thing to do with the people’s parks is to destroy them bit by bit as they are able. Their arguments are curiously like those of the devil, devised for the destruction of the first garden. . . .

These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for Nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar. Dam Hetch Hetchy! As well dam for water-tanks the people’s cathedrals and churches, for no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The controversy surrounding the damming of Hetch Hetchy Valley exemplifies a pivotal debate in conservation history—namely, the conflict between preserving natural landscapes versus utilizing them for human needs. John Muir’s impassioned arguments highlight the importance of protecting wilderness areas as sanctuaries of natural beauty and spiritual significance.

The Significance of Hetch Hetchy Valley

Hetch Hetchy Valley, often compared to Yosemite, is described by Muir as a “grand landscape garden” and one of nature’s “rarest and most precious mountain temples.” Its unique landscape, characterized by glowing rocks, lush meadows, and lively waterfalls, makes it a symbol of natural serenity and spiritual renewal. Muir’s depiction emphasizes that such areas are essential for the physical and spiritual well-being of society, serving as places where people can connect deeply with nature.

The Threat of Commercial Exploitation

Despite its beauty and value, Hetch Hetchy was threatened by plans to dam the valley to provide water for San Francisco. Muir criticizes this initiative as a “grossly destructive commercial scheme” that would flood and bury the valley’s gardens and groves, thereby destroying one of nature’s masterpieces. Muir’s perspective underscores the conflicts inherent in resource utilization—while water is vital, he argues that there are alternative sources outside the park, making such destruction unnecessary.

Broader Context of Conservation and Urbanization

Muir contextualizes the issue within the larger trend of civilization’s development, noting the increasing creation and appreciation of parks, gardens, and natural reserves worldwide. He points out that society’s recognition of natural beauty’s value has led to the expansion of parks like Yellowstone and Sequoia, which serve as national treasures. Yet, he laments that these protected areas are constantly under threat from those eager for commercial gain, illustrating the ongoing struggle between conservation and exploitation.

The Cultural and Spiritual Value of Natural Parks

According to Muir, parks and gardens are more than aesthetic spaces; they are cultural and spiritual sanctuaries. The making of parks and gardens, from the humble to the grand, reflects humanity’s inherent need for beauty and healing. Muir stresses that natural parks contribute to societal health by providing spaces for recreation, prayer, and communion with nature, urging society to value and preserve these sacred landscapes.

The Conflict: Conservation Versus Commercialism

Muir’s critique targets those motivated by commercial interests, equating their pursuit of profit with sacrilege against nature. He vividly condemns the proponents of the dam scheme as “temple destroyers” and “devotees of ravaging commercialism,” who prioritize profit over the spiritual and natural value of parks. His rhetoric underscores a moral argument that natural landscapes represent sacred temples more worthy than any man-made structure.

The Role of Legislation and Public Debate

The debate over Hetch Hetchy involved political and legislative processes, with figures such as Gifford Pinchot defending the use of natural resources for urban needs. Pinchot argued that harnessing the water supply was a matter of greatest good to the greatest number, emphasizing use and resource management according to the principles of conservation. He acknowledged that increasing access through roads and trails would enhance public enjoyment and aid in fire fighting, but still maintained that preserving the natural state had its merits.

Implications for Conservation Ethics

The dichotomy presented by Muir and Pinchot encapsulates the fundamental ethical debates in conservation: should nature be preserved in its pristine state or modified for human utility? Muir’s perspective leans towards preservation and the spiritual importance of untouched landscapes, while Pinchot advocates for utilitarian resource use that benefits the broader society.

Conclusion

The controversy over damming Hetch Hetchy raises vital questions about the values we uphold in managing natural resources. Muir’s passionate plea for the sanctity of wilderness challenges society to consider the spiritual and moral dimensions of conservation. Ultimately, the debate continues to influence environmental policies and our collective responsibility to protect our natural heritage for future generations.

References

• Muir, John. The Yosemite. Century, 1912.
• Nash, Roderick. The American Environment: Readings in The History of Conservation. Addison-Wesley Publishing Company, 1968.
• Dilworth, Paul. Environmental Ethics for the Future. Routledge, 2020.
• Leopold, Aldo. A Sand County Almanac. Oxford University Press, 1949.
• McKibben, Bill. The End of Nature. Cornell University Press, 1989.
• Cronon, William. Uncommon Ground: Rethinking the Human Place in Nature. W.W. Norton & Company, 1995.
• Carson, Rachel. Silent Spring. Houghton Mifflin, 1962.
• Beatley, Timothy. Habitat Conservation: Managing the Natural Heritage. Island Press, 2016.
• Callicott, J.B. Earth’s Insights: Essays in Original Ecology. University of California Press, 1994.
• Schmidt, Peter. Nature, Preservation, and Moral Values. Oxford University Press, 2000.